Belleville St. Matthew sends team to Paraguay

11/9/2010

Belleville St. Matthew UMC’s Medical Team ministered in Paraguay Sept. 3-12. The September trip was the 12th time that the church has sent a team since 1998. Many of the same personnel have gone on each of the trips and have been able to develop ongoing relationships with the missionaries living there.

Each of the medical teams consists of two to three doctors, a pharmacist, an optometrist and two to three dentists. The church collects used glasses throughout the year that the optometrist fits to each Paraguayan in need of glasses.

During their recent stay, the clinic saw more than 800 patients. Each patient that comes to the clinic is prayed for by a local Paraguayan pastor. This year, 50 people who came to the clinic prayed to receive Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Pharmacist Keith Breithaupt is the team leader. He asks for donations of used reading and prescription eyeglasses for next year’s medical mission trip. They can be mailed or brought to St. Matthew UMC, 1200 Moreland Drive, Belleville, IL 62223.